Six Metro stations to get toilets

There’s good news for those using Metros regularly as the Metro authorities have decided to

set up toilets at six underground stations. The toilets will be set up at Belgachia, Noapara, Sova Bazar, Maidan, Rabindra Sadan and Shahid Kshudiram stations.

Though the country’s first Metro began its commercial operation on 24 October, 1984, no provisions were made to construct toilets at the underground stations. Interestingly, the planners also did not make any provision to set up toilets at the underground stations in the master plan. The foundation stone was laid by Indira Gandhi in 1972.

As a result of non-availability of toilets at stations, regular Metro commuters often face problems. The worst hit are people who travel with children. Those who suffer from frequent urination because of ailments often avoid metro because of non availability of toilets.

However, the commuters had to raise their demands for over three decades and finally it has received clearance from the authorities.

It may be recalled that a hilarious letter by a commuter to the Indian railway authorities in 1909 had finally led to the installation of toilets in trains. As the trains will be used by the natives, so no provisions of toilets were made in the passenger trains.

The letter was written by one Okhil Chandra Sen to the divisional railway office at Sahibganj and the letter has been preserved at the rail Museum, New Delhi.